Investigation launched into Queen's Park Oval Test

The Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) and the Queen's Park Cricket Club have launched a joint investigation into the events which led to the fourth Test between West Indies and India to end in a draw due to soggy outfield conditions.

After rain on the first day allowed only 22 overs of play, the waterlogged outfield did not dry fast enough and four consecutive days were abandoned without play.

The last three days of the Test also had abundant sunshine, but the outfield did not dry despite various efforts of the ground staff at Queen’s Park Oval, which did not have a super-sopper at its disposal.

The ground staff dug sections of the field and used a leaf blower in an attempt to quicken the drying process, but it all proved to be a futile effort in the end.

Azim Bassarath, the president of the TTCB revealed in a statement that a joint investigation has been launched and the report will be presented to the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

“As hosts, the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board and QPCC (Queen’s Park Cricket Club) regret that limited play was possible in the 4th Test Match between WI and India at the Queen’s Park Oval.

“We have jointly launched an investigation to determine what occurred with a view to remedying the situation so that this does not occur in the future.

“Once this has been done, it will be presented to the WICB.”

After the draw at Queen’s Park Oval in the fourth Test, India won the series 2-0 but failed to hold onto their number one ranking, pushing Pakistan to the top for the first time since the rankings were introduced in 2003.

The contest between West Indies and India will now shift to Lauderhill, Florida, where the two teams will face off in two Twenty20 Internationals on 27th and 28th August.